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+---
+title: 'Problems'
+project: 'Book of Hezekiah'
+project-order: 6
+project-prev: 'movingsideways.html'
+project-next: 'likingthings.html'
+genre: 'prose'
+...
+
+The problem with people is this: we cannot be happy.  No matter how hard
+or easy we try, it is not to be.  It seems sometimes that, just as the
+dog was made for jumping in mud and sniffing out foxholes and having a
+good time all around, man was made for sadness, loneliness and
+heartache.
+
+Being the observant and judgmental people they are, people have for a
+long time tried to figure out why they aren't happy.  Some say it's
+because we're obviously doing something wrong.  Some say it's because we
+think too much.  Some insist that it's because other people have more
+stuff than we do.  These people don't have a clue any more than any of
+the rest of us.  At least I don't think they do, and that's good enough
+for me.[^1] I think that the reason why people are unhappy (and this is
+a personal opinion) is that they realize on some level (for some it's a
+pretty shallow level, others it's way down there next to their love for
+women's stockings[^2]) that there is no background to put themselves
+against, no "[big picture][]" to get painted into.  This makes sense, because
+on one level, the level of everyday life, the level of *observation*,
+there is always a background---look in a pair of binoculars sometime.  But
+on another level, that of ... shit, wait.  There are no other levels.[^3]
+
+What's more, people try to explain how to get happy again (although it's
+doubtful they were ever happy in the first place---people are very good at
+fooling).  Some say standing or [sitting in a building][] with a lot of other
+unhappy people helps.  Some say that you can't stop there; you also need
+to sing with those other unhappy people about how unhappy you are, and
+how you wish someone would come along and help you out, I guess by
+giving you money or something.  I say all you really need to be happy is
+a good stiff drink.[^4]
+
+In any case, people have for some reason or another, and to some end or
+another, always been unhappy.  And people have always tried to figure out
+ways to be less unhappy---one of the most important things to people
+everywhere is called "the pursuit of happiness."  I think that calling it
+a pursuit makes people feel more like dogs, who are the most happy
+beings most people can think of.  By pursuing happiness, they're like a
+dog pursuing a possum or a bone on a fishing rod: two activities that
+sound like a lot of fun to most people.  I think most people wish they
+were dogs.
+
+[big picture]: ronaldmcdonald.html
+[sitting in a buiding]: feedingtheraven.html
+
+
+[^1]: This seems to be an attempt on Hezzy's part to set an example for
+    mankind.  It should be noted that he is an alcoholic, and not in any
+    shape to be an example to anyone.
+
+[^2]: It is thought that only the leg coverings of the female sex are
+    here referenced
+
+[^3]: You have hereby found the super special secret cheat code room.
+    Yes, this is just like Super Mario Brothers---you can skip right to
+    the end.  Go and face the final boss already!
+
+[^4]: See footnote, above